The 2024 competition is now closed.
Use the 'Apply here' link below to go to the competition's application portal. You will need to set up an account before beginning your application. Download the 'How to apply' document for guidelines on setting up an account and submitting your application correctly.
1. Choose an artwork from the Art UK website to write about. Take a look at our advice on picking a work of art. We cannot accept entries for artworks that are not on the Art UK website.
2. Make sure you have stuck to the word limit for your age category. Year 10/11 applicants (Scotland S3/S4; Northern Ireland Y11/12) should write 400 words and Year 12/13 applicants (Scotland S5/S6; Northern Ireland Y13/14) should write 600 words. (See What is Write on Art? for more information.) Please do not go over or under the word limit by 10%. Entries that do this will be disqualified.
3. Use the submission form link at the bottom of this page to submit your writing to the portal. Do not include your name or any personal information in it. This form must be anonymous. Entries that do not use these templates will be disqualified.
4. Please ask a responsible adult (teacher, care worker, youth worker, counsellor, parent, or a relative over the age of eighteen) to sign the responsible adult form which can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. You must then upload it to the application portal. Any submission without this form will be automatically disqualified.
If you have any queries or issues with the submission process, email rprosser@paul-mellon-centre.ac.uk.
